Bruno

Sorry about asking, but what is Bruno ? The only Brunos that come to mind are Bruno Paillard and Bruno Giacosa...

Mike

You forgot Bruno Clair, a decent Burg producer (usually a good value, as prices are generally low).

Maybe he meant Brunellos, and the ell got lost?

Dale

Dale Williams Drop "damnspam" to reply

excellent call!

..Chris

I think he is talking about Bruno Balalaika, leading zithermaster of the East Ramsey (New Jersey) Orchestra and Klezmer Band-I highly recommend his solo version of the Third Man theme with a barrel fermented ugni blanc.....

Sorry,

I just figured those subscribed to a wine newsgroup would know what I meant.

I am refering to probably the most famous Italian Red on the planet, Brunello di Montalcino.

I was curious if anyone had the opportunity to taste a good one, yet. (98) I heard they blow away 97, which was pretty hard to do.

ciao!

And then there's Bruno di Alfonso - the winemaker for Sanford, who has some Italian varietals he's bottled under his own name. I haven't tried his Pinot Grigio, but his Sangiovese is the best I've tasted from California so far.

Tom S

There is also Bruno Sorg in Eguisheim, excellent small producer (GC Eichberg and Pfirsigberg). Particularly his Riesling are wonderful.

Cheers!

Nils Gsutaf

-- Respond to nils dot lindgren at drchips dot se

Ah yes, now all the good Brunos are coming back to me...

Mike

LOL

After a very long discussion about what was ment, when someone wrote Venice You think this would be obvious! In my country I haver /never/ heard Brunellos mentioned as bruno's.

I would say that it ranks below Barolo, Chianti and Amarone when it comes to famousness.

Is the 98 on the market yet? I thought the Brunnellos 98 would be released in nov.

regards Jan

I thought myself remotely familar, but I guess not (I've also never heard anyone refer to Brunello di Montalcino as Bruno before now). I think of Chianti and Brunello as different, w/o one neccessarily being superior to the other. Though Brunellos tend to be more expensive than Chianti (excluding the Castello di Amas and the like).In general I think once you figure in price/value the Chianti might have the edge. I have some Brunello cellared, but I have Chianti too. A wine like the Felsina Rancia CCR in a good vintage can be more exciting than 90% of Brunellos.

Chianti and Montalcino are both located in the region of Tuscany. .

That's right. I've posted some notes here re 1998 Brunellos (Brunelli, if you prefer), mostly from pre-release tasting this spring. I think the best I've had were the Caparzo and Uccelliera. Although I bought some 97s, I think mostly I'm in market currently for '95s. Some reduced prices (due to '97 hype) on what to my tastes is a more classical, structured vintage than the sometimes overripe '97s. Based on other '99 Tuscans, the '99 Brunello vintage might be interesting.

Speaking of '99 Tuscans, anyone in NY might be interested- Rochambeau is having a Supertuscan sale. Mostly too expensive for me, but the excellent '99 Terrabianca Campaccio is $24. Nice Sangiovese that tastes like Tuscany (as opposed to some SuperTuscans that taste like Napa!).

Dale

Dale Williams Drop "damnspam" to reply

That's a good point, Dale. Comparing most Chiantis to Rossos di Montalcino would be more fair, wouldn't you say?

I have some Brunello cellared, but I have Chianti

Felsina Rancia is a personal favorite. Unfortunately, it's as expensive as many Brunellos. :^(

BTW, while we're on Italian wines, Costco has the 1998 and 1999 Zonchera Barolo for just under $30. I've tried both and prefer the 1998 right now, but the 1999 would be nice to lay down for ten years or so. The 1998 is elegant and fragrant with cigarbox notes and that unmistakable aroma that proclaims it as Italian. The 1999 isn't as accessible right now, but may actually be a better wine than the 1998 when it reaches maturity.

Tom S

pffff ...

... nuff said, plonk.

M.